UK Phone Retailers Increase Security Measures Amid Surge in Thefts
London, UK – Phone retailers across the United Kingdom are bolstering security measures, including locking shop doors while trading and enhancing in-store surveillance, in response to a dramatic rise in smartphone thefts carried out by organised criminal gangs. The move comes as police and a parliamentary committee increase pressure on tech giants apple and Google to further restrict functionality on stolen devices.
The escalating issue has seen an alarming increase in ”snatch-related” insurance claims, with device insurer SquareTrade reporting a 425% jump in the UK between June 2021 and May 2024. Approximately 80,000 devices of all kinds were stolen in London alone last year, according to police evidence presented to the House of Commons science and technology committee. SquareTrade estimates that 80% of stolen devices are Apple products.
The metropolitan police have been attempting for two years to persuade smartphone companies to disable cloud service access on stolen phones, rendering them less valuable and disrupting resale markets. The committee accused Apple and Google in June of profiting from the cycle of theft and replacement.
While apple and Google have highlighted existing security features, retailers are independently taking steps to protect their inventory. Apple has already implemented enhanced security in its own stores, effectively making stolen phones unusable if removed from the premises. industry sources indicate a broader desire for a “kill switch” mechanism applicable to stolen phones, nonetheless of origin.
Apple stated it “collaborates with law enforcement agencies across the globe” to combat device theft and “counterfeit parts operations,” and pointed to its website outlining “advanced security protections” designed to deter iPhone theft and protect user data.
